Some lesser known facts about Nandankanan zoological Park

Nandankanan zoological Park is enriched with 101 enclosures with 202 sub-enclosures at Nandankanan.It has the significance of having both the cages and open moat enclosures.There are 54 cages and 47 open moated enclosures to house all the captive animals of Nandankanan.

The facts about the beautiful zoological park doesn’t end here! Here we share some of the lesser known facts of Nandankanan Zoological Park : –

Nandankanan Zoological Park became the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2009.

It has the glory of having 126 species of animals which includes 40 spp. mammals, 56 spp. birds and 24 spp. reptiles.There are more than 1580 animals, including 634 mammals, 812 birds and 134 reptiles.Eighty eight (88) species of indigenous species along with 32 exotic species of animals add glory to the collection of Nandankanan Zoological Park.

Every year more than 2 million visitors visit Nandankanan.

The initial proposal placed the zoo at Ghatikia close to Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves.However, this was deemed to pose water problems in the future,A zoo needs lot of water to meet the need of animals, cleaning of animals sheds and for various other purposes. The then Range Officer, Chandaka suggested Jujhagarh forest block on Kanjia lake near Barang Railway station as the most ideal location.Nandankanan enjoys a good reputation internationally for successfully breeding black panthers, gharials, and white tigers in captivity.

It is the host zoo for white tigers.White tigers were born to normal coloured parents in 1980, a unique event in the world.